WORKING GROUP ON FISHERIES ACOUSTICS, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (WGFAST) - VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 70 - ICES
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WORKING GROUP ON FISHERIES ACOUSTICS,
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (WGFAST)
VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 70
ICES SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
RAPPORTS
SCIENTIFIQUES DU CIEM
ICES INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL FOR THE EXPLORATION OF THE SEA
CIEM CONSEIL INTERNATIONAL POUR L’EXPLORATION DE LA MERInternational Council for the Exploration of the Sea Conseil International pour l’Exploration de la Mer H.C. Andersens Boulevard 44-46 DK-1553 Copenhagen V Denmark Telephone (+45) 33 38 67 00 Telefax (+45) 33 93 42 15 www.ices.dk info@ices.dk The material in this report may be reused for non-commercial purposes using the recommended cita- tion. ICES may only grant usage rights of information, data, images, graphs, etc. of which it has owner- ship. For other third-party material cited in this report, you must contact the original copyright holder for permission. For citation of datasets or use of data to be included in other databases, please refer to the latest ICES data policy on ICES website. All extracts must be acknowledged. For other reproduction requests please contact the General Secretary. This document is the product of an expert group under the auspices of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea and does not necessarily represent the view of the Council. ISSN number: 2618-1371 I © 2020 International Council for the Exploration of the Sea
ICES Scientific Reports Volume 2 | Issue 70 WORKING GROUP ON FISHERIES ACOUSTICS, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (WGFAST) Recommended format for purpose of citation: ICES. 2020. Working Group on Fisheries Acoustics, Science and Technology (WGFAST). ICES Scientific Reports. 2:70. 18 pp. http://doi.org/10.17895/ices.pub.7444 Editors Michael Jech Authors Alejandro Ariza • Alex de Robertis • Alireza Rezvanifar • Andone C. Lavery • Anne Lebourges-Dhaussy Aquiles Sepulveda • Arnaud Bertrand • Arthur Blanluet • Ben Scoulding • Benoit Berges • Birkir Bardarson Carlos Robinson • Carrie Wall • Charles Anderson • Christopher Taylor • Ciaran O’Donnell • Daniel Grados Danny Copland • David Demer • David McGowan • Denise McKelvey • Dezhang Chu • Egoitz Burggraaf Elizabeth Phillips • Erin LaBrecque • Fabio Campanella • Fletcher Thompson • Geir Pedersen • Guillermo Boyra • Haris Kunnath • Hassan Moustahfid • Hector Peña • Hjalte Parner • Ilysa Iglesias • Ivar Wangen J. Michael Jech • Jan Buermans • Jeff Condiotty • Jennifer Johnson • Jenni McDermid • Jeremie Habasque John Horne • Jose Rojas • Joseph Warren • Julek Chawarski • Kathryn Gavira O’Neill • Kevin M. Boswell Kjetil Gjeitsund Thorvaldsen • Lars Nonboe Andersen • Laurent Berger • Lawrence Hufnagle • Lilian Lieber • Lucio Calise • Lu Guan • Marian Peña • Mariano Gutierrez Torero • Marissela Pozada • Mathieu Doray • Matthias Schaber • Maxime Geoffroy • Mei Sato • Miles Parsons • Muriel Barbara Dunn • Naig Le Bouffant • Natalia Gorska • Nicolás Algeria Landeros • Nils Olav Handegard • Olavi Kaljuste • Pablo Carrera • Pablo Escobar-Flores • Patrice Brehmer • Patricia Ordoñez • Patrick Schneider • Paul Fernandes Pilar Cordoba • Rebecca Thomas • Richard O’Driscoll • Rika Shiraki • Rokas Kubilius • Rolf Korneliussen Rudy Kloser • Ryan Downie • Salvador Peraltilla Neyra • Sandra Parker-Stetter • Sebastien de Halleux Sigurdur Thor Jónsson • Stephane Gauthier • Stephen Brandt • Steve Pearce • Sophie Fielding • Susan Mærsk Lusseau • Sven Gastauer • Tim Acker • Tim Ryan • Timothy Whitton • Toby Jarvis • Tonny Algroy Tunia Porto Marques • Wu-Jung Lee • Zacharias Kapelonis .
ICES | WGFAST 2020 | I
Contents
i Executive summary ....................................................................................................................... ii
ii Expert group information ..............................................................................................................iii
1 Report on Terms of Reference ...................................................................................................... 1
1.1 ToR a) ............................................................................................................................... 1
1.2 ToR b) ............................................................................................................................... 1
1.3 ToR c) ............................................................................................................................... 2
1.4 ToR d) ............................................................................................................................... 2
1.5 ToR e) ............................................................................................................................... 2
2 Discussion Topics ........................................................................................................................... 3
2.1 David MacLennan Appreciation ....................................................................................... 3
2.2 WKREO Update and WGFAST realignment ...................................................................... 4
2.3 Liaison to ISO ................................................................................................................... 4
2.4 Recommendation from WKSCRUT2 ................................................................................. 4
2.5 TGQUAD Update .............................................................................................................. 5
2.6 TGMETA Update .............................................................................................................. 5
2.7 WGAcousticGov ............................................................................................................... 5
2.8 Acoustic Backscattering Models ...................................................................................... 5
2.9 Sonar-netCDF4 Data Format ............................................................................................ 6
2.10 Open-Source Software ..................................................................................................... 6
2.11 Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.................................................................... 7
3 Next meeting: location and dates ................................................................................................. 8
4 Science Highlight ........................................................................................................................... 9
Annex 1: List of participants.......................................................................................................... 10
Annex 2: Resolutions .................................................................................................................... 16II | ICES SCIENTIFIC REPORTS 2:70 | ICES
i Executive summary
The Working Group on Fisheries Acoustics, Science and Technology (WGFAST) focuses on the
development and application of science and technology to observe the marine environment. In
this report, WGFAST describe their appreciation for David MacLennan, who was a founding
member of WGFAST, and who’s pioneering work on several theoretical and practical elements
of fisheries acoustics were compiled in the seminal book on Fisheries Acoustics that he co-au-
thored. The report also addresses ‘big data’ as the next frontier in fisheries acoustics; the
WGFAST strategy to respond to a request from the Working Group on International Pelagic Sur-
veys (WGIPS) on the acoustic detection of herring; updates from the Topic Group on Collecting
Quality Underwater Acoustic Data (TGQUAD) that is writing an ICES Co-operative Research
Report in this topic; updates from the Topic Group on Acoustic Metadata (TGMETA) on the
development of acoustic metadata guidelines (AcMeta); and progress by the newly formed
Working Group on Acoustic Trawl Data Portal Governance (WGAcousticGov) to establish a gov-
ernance framework for the ICES Acoustic Trawl Data portal. WGFAST identified Dr Toby Jarvis
as a new representative on the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Liaison
Committee linked to ongoing ISO work on underwater acoustics.
This report also summarizes WGFAST considerations of acoustic scattering properties of organ-
isms and open-source acoustic backscatter models; the Sonar-netCDF4 open source data format
for acoustic data; open-source software to read, process, and analyse acoustic data; and applica-
tions of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) methods to acoustic data.
In relation to “big data” as the next frontier in fisheries acoustics, WGFAST note that many fish-
eries institutions and agencies now have terabytes of data recorded over decades, and are col-
lecting data at astonishing rates. Efficient discovery, access, processing, and analysis of these
data will require open and available data repositories with transparent and efficient ways to
discover and access data, data recorded and archived in open formats, and open-source software
so that these data can be available to the scientific community beyond fisheries acousticians. Ap-
plication of advanced methods such as AI and ML will expand the utility of fisheries acoustic
data beyond stock assessment to inform conservation and management of ecosystems.ICES | WGFAST 2020 | III
ii Expert group information
Expert group name Working Group – Fisheries Acoustics Science and Technology (WGFAST)
Expert group cycle Annual
Year cycle started 2020
Reporting year in cycle 1/3
Chair(s) Michael Jech, USA
Meeting venue(s) and dates 22 April 2020, by correspondence, (120 participants)ICES | WGFAST 2020 | 1
1 Report on Terms of Reference
1.1 ToR a)
The report collating information on acoustic-related research and surveys is due in year 3. Dur-
ing the meeting, WGFAST discussed requesting additional information from members on their
connections to ecosystem and assessment expert groups (EGs) as part of this ToR. A number of
members are currently participating in or have ties to other ecosystem and stock assessment ex-
pert groups. WGFAST recommended to modify this ToR to “Collate information on acoustic
related research and surveys, and interactions with ecosystem and assessment expert groups.”
(Bold font indicates new text). This information will be added to the report and collated in year
3.
1.2 ToR b)
Present recent work in fisheries acoustics
A large component of the WGFAST meeting is devoted to this ToR in the form of scientific
presentations. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the physical meeting was not con-
ducted and the decision was made to not give the presentations remotely this year. The hope is
to have a physical meeting in 2021 and resume the normal practice of scientific presentations. If
the meeting ends up being remote again, WGFAST will discuss options for hosting scientific
presentations.
In lieu of the scientific presentations, five discussion sessions were held to address information
and data gaps and new applications and analysis methodologies in fisheries acoustics. These
discussion sessions are detailed below in Section 2 – Error! Reference source not found..
Training opportunities
In the past, the Institute of Marine Research (IMR) in Bergen, Norway has conducted a broad-
band acoustic course. The course was well received, but due to logistic constraints, IMR does not
have plans to continue this course.
A fisheries acoustic training course was conducted by John Horne and Paul Fernandes as part of
ICES-sponsored training courses. At this time no plans are to continue this course.
As a result of our discussions during the meeting, WGFAST will review whether training oppor-
tunities (e.g. ICES training courses) in the use of acoustic backscatter models and applications of
AI and ML to fisheries acoustic data as these two fields mature will be developed in 2021 or 2022.
Data and information gaps
During the meeting, discussions (See Section 2 – Error! Reference source not found.) highlighted
gaps in knowledge and how these gaps lead to uncertainty in acoustic measurements and esti-
mates. WGFAST discussed how these gaps can be used to prioritize challenges in fisheries acous-
tics. We will continue to discuss and evaluate these topics as potential training opportunities as
they mature.2 | ICES SCIENTIFIC REPORTS 2:70 | ICES
1.3 ToR c)
This ToR was discussed as another way (see ToR a) to facilitate interaction among WGFAST and
the other ecosystem and assessment EGs. During the discussion, a number of WGFAST members
expressed that they already interact in some way with these other EGs. WGFAST has evolved
from a group solely dedicated to acoustics and evaluating acoustic instrumentation to one that
needs to deal with “big” data, e.g. decades-long time-series, and application of those data to
ecosystem monitoring and assessment. A session, joint with WGFAST and select ecosystem ex-
pert groups will provide a forum for reviewing the state-of-the-art and pathways forward to
inte-grate advanced technologies and ecosystem monitoring and assessment. WGFAST agreed
that we would work with these contacts to organize a joint session at the 2021 or 2022 ICES An-
nual Science Conference.
1.4 ToR d)
WGFAST received an update from TGMETA on its progress in updating acoustic metadata and
the AcMeta convention (see Section 2.6 – TGMETA Update). This is an ongoing effort that con-
tinually evolves with the needs of the community. The current effort is to transition the AcMeta
convention to GitHub, and TGMETA is working with the ICES data office to make this transition
efficient and transparent.
1.5 ToR e)
TGQUAD intended to meet physically the weekend prior to the WGFAST meeting in Bergen,
but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, postponed this meeting to a remote meeting during summer
2020. Interactions have continued remotely and progress is steady on the CRR. The group is on
schedule to submit a draft CRR by fall 2020.ICES | WGFAST 2020 | 3
2 Discussion Topics
2.1 David MacLennan Appreciation
Sadly, Dr David MacLennan passed away in April 2020 and Paul Fernandes gave a moving ap-
preciation of his scientific achievements and personal impacts on WGFAST, its members, and
the broader fisheries community. WGFAST discussed ways to formally show our appreciation
of David’s efforts and achievements, which included creating an ICES or WGFAST award in his
honour and/or nominating him for one of ICES top awards. After discussion with the ICES Sec-
retariat, we decided to nominate David for the ICES Prix d’Excellence. The Prix d’Excellence is
the highest honour ICES bestows upon scientists who have had lasting and broad-ranging influ-
ence on fisheries science. John Horne, Paul Fernandes, and Michael Jech submitted an initial
nomination letter to the ICES Award Committee on behalf of WGFAST, which was accepted for
a full nomination. A full nomination package was collated and submitted to the award commit-
tee for review. We are awaiting word on the final decision.
A copy of David’s “Food for Thought” article in the ICES Journal of Marine Science has been
uploaded to the WGFAST SharePoint site, in Background Documents.
Our initial nomination letter was as follows:
David spent his career working on the sustained use and conservation of marine ecosystems throughout
his association with the Scottish Marine Laboratory in Aberdeen (1967 through 1995) culminating in the
appointment of Deputy Director; as Chief Technical Advisor to the Lake Victoria Fisheries Research Pro-
ject (LVFRP) in Uganda (2000-2002); and as an honorary Reader at the University of Aberdeen. David
started as a fishing-gear technologist conducting work on vessel performance, gear technology, and fish
behaviour. He is credited with the design and build of Europe’s first tank used to study fish behaviour and
conducted pioneering work on fishing selectivity, which was then applied to stock assessment.
In the late 1970s he transitioned to work on Fisheries Acoustics where he laid the foundations of several
theoretical and practical elements (e.g. calibration, community nomenclature, abundance measurements)
that, in addition to being published in the primary literature, were summarized in two resource/text books
that remain essential reading. In Lake Victoria, he ran the acoustic survey programme providing new
insights on the distribution and abundance of its fish populations and built the local capacity to conduct
acoustic surveys.
In the late 2000’s his efforts turned to editing, working with the journal Fisheries Research, and collating
and editing papers from international conferences such as the 2008 ICES Symposium on the Ecosystem
Approach with Fisheries Acoustics and Complementary Technologies and the 2010 ICES Symposium on
Fishery-Dependent Information.
David’s scientific leadership, innovation, teamwork, and mentoring are all attributes which have been
demonstrated throughout his career. He has a long collaborative history with international organizations
such as ICES, the EU, and FAO, as well as many colleagues all over the world. David sadly passed away
on 7 April 2020, but we believe he is truly deserving of this award posthumously. We can think of no better
tribute than to present the award to his wife Sheila who has accompanied him to many conferences, courses,
and fieldwork, and is thus well known throughout the scientific community.
The discussion of David’s appreciation led to a broader discussion about how WGFAST can rec-
ognize members as they retire. We agreed to have recognitions at the annual WGFAST meeting
banquet, with current members providing short appreciations of retired members.4 | ICES SCIENTIFIC REPORTS 2:70 | ICES
2.2 WKREO Update and WGFAST realignment
An effort is underway at the ICES Secretariat to improve communication among the expert
groups who collect survey data, those who use the data for ecosystem and stock assessments,
regional coordination councils, and the ICES Secretariat. Michael Jech attended a workshop
(Workshop on the Realigning of the Ecosystem Observation Steering Group, WKREO) to de-
velop an organizational realignment among these groups, as well as recommend improvements
to communication channels among these groups. Three action items were set for WGFAST:
• As part of ToR a), WGFAST will collect and tabulate information from members as to
their connections to ecosystem and assessment expert groups.
• As part of ToR c), WGFAST will explore connections to ecosystem and assessment expert
groups to host a joint session at the ICES Annual Science Conference in either 2021 or
2022.
• As part of the realignment, WGFAST is proposed to move to a new steering group, the
Data Science and Technology Steering Group. The Data Science and Technology Steering
Group will be responsible for guiding and supporting expert groups that are developing,
assessing and applying new and emerging technologies to challenges in marine science,
as well as advancing data science, systems management, quality assurance and data gov-
ernance. It will give technology and data science a much higher profile within and be-
yond the ICES system, consistent with the emphasis now given to these topics in the ICES
Science and Advisory Plans.
2.3 Liaison to ISO
A member of WGFAST has represented ICES in the International Organization for Standards
(ISO) for the past several years. The ISO is the international body responsible for developing and
maintaining standards for a variety of scientific and engineering fields. The ICES liaison has been
a member of ISO/TC 043/SC03 “Underwater Acoustics” which includes WG 02 “Underwater
acoustic terminology” and WG 04 “Standard-target method of calibrating active sonars”. The
current member, Gavin Macaulay, is no longer able to serve as liaison, so Toby Jarvis of Tasma-
nia volunteered to be the ICES representative. WGFAST approved Toby’s nomination to be the
ICES liaison to the ISO. Toby submitted his nomination package to the ISO and is awaiting word
of their approval. In addition, Geir Pedersen will be Norway’s liaison to ISO.
2.4 Recommendation from WKSCRUT2
We have a request from WGIPS (International Pelagic Surveys) on behalf of WKSCRUT2 to pro-
vide guidance on “...whether there is any difference in the probability of acoustic detection of
shallow (herring) schools (< 50 m depth) with a survey speed of e.g. 10 vs. 12 knots, or in other
words does the higher survey speed result in less detection probability.”
The survey in question (IESSNS) is a swept-area survey for mackerel in Nordic seas. It is not
designed as a typical acoustic survey, but primarily as a trawl survey where vessel speeds be-
tween stations can exceed 12 knots. Atlantic herring and blue whiting are observed in the acous-
tic echograms, and these data are recorded opportunistically during inter-station transects (trawl
stations being 30-60 nautical mile apart). The survey is designed in such a way that it resembles
an acoustic survey design with parallel transects, etc., just with regular stopping to trawl at pre-
defined stations. The survey group would like to develop an acoustic index for both blue whiting
and herring using acoustic data from this survey. The herring are often < 50 m depth, therefore
there is a concern whether the higher speed would unacceptably bias an acoustic survey index.ICES | WGFAST 2020 | 5
At the WKSCRUT2 in 2020 a question was raised whether a high survey speed might influence
the herring estimate by reducing the chance of detecting shallow schools and thereby underesti-
mate the biomass.
WGFAST developed a strategy to address this request, and has 4-5 volunteers to develop a re-
sponse to this recommendation. WGFAST will submit the response by year-end 2020.
2.5 TGQUAD Update
The Topic Group on Collecting Quality Underwater Acoustic Data during Inclement Weather
(TGQUAD) intended to meet physically the weekend prior to the WGFAST meeting in Bergen,
Norway, but was unable to do so due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Co-chair, Michael Jech, pro-
vided an update of the group’s progress. TGQUAD agreed to a remote meeting in summer 2020.
Progress on the CRR is steady and the group intends to submit the CRR by fall 2020.
2.6 TGMETA Update
Tim Ryan, the chair of TGMETA, provided an update. The acoustic metadata guidelines (Ac-
Meta) now reside on the ICES Publications GitHub site (currently https://github.com/ices-publi-
cations/AcMeta). The version 2 working document on GitHub has been generalized to allow any
platform from ICES controlled vocabulary to be used. TGMETA is working with ICES Infor-
mation and Technology and Data group to establish a streamlined publication path to take the
document to an official ICES document.
AcMeta is a dynamic document that is designed to adapt and evolve with the scientific commu-
nity as advancements in data acquisition, technology, and analytical methods improve. Because
of the dynamic nature of this document and its public availability on GitHub, additions and
modifications can be recommended by anyone. Quality control of the document follows GitHub
procedures, with commits reviewed by coordinators. These coordinators are currently members
of WGFAST: Tim Ryan, Gavin Macaulay, Erin LaBrecque, and Hassan Moustahfid. The dynamic
nature of this document is fairly new to ICES and WGFAST is working with the ICES Secretariat
on how to maintain the highest level of quality control in the document, while retaining the abil-
ity to continually evolve.
2.7 WGAcousticGov
Ciaran O’Donnell (chair of WGAcousticGov) gave an introduction to WGAcousticGov– Work-
ing Group on the Acoustic Trawl Data Portal Governance. The aim of WGAcousticGov is to es-
tablish a governance framework for the ICES Acoustic Trawl Data portal. This portal will pro-
vide links among acoustic and trawl data with the goal of improving access and discovery of
these data. As data portal users and endpoint data users, your input into the development of the
portal is critical. Acoustic survey planning group and assessment working group chairs will be
involved and/or will nominate members to participate in the governance WG. The group will
meet through short online quarterly meetings with one physical meeting annually, should it be
required.
2.8 Acoustic Backscattering Models
Sven Gastauer led a discussion on developing an effort to improve our understanding of the
acoustic scattering properties of marine organisms, with special emphasis on broadband and the
influence of behaviour and physiological and anatomical conditions of organisms.6 | ICES SCIENTIFIC REPORTS 2:70 | ICES
With the emergence of broadband technology as a standard sampling tool, processing and inter-
pretation of acoustic data need a better understanding of the sound-scattering properties of ma-
rine organisms including acoustic impedance (dependent on species, location, condition, life cy-
cle stage etc.) and behaviour (including orientation, depth dependence, etc.). Through the use of
modelling, we can work towards an improved understanding of the scattering properties of ma-
rine organisms, leading to improved inversion methods and ultimately improved abundance
and biomass estimates. With the potential of improved species identification and sizing, this
would also work towards a reduction of needed biological samples.
WGFAST decided to propose a workshop to be held in 2021 in conjunction with the WGFAST
meeting in Bergen, Norway. Michael Jech and Sven Gastauer developed an “Expert Group Meet-
ing Resolution (Category 2)” and a new ToR to WGFAST and submitted to ICES secretariat.
2.9 Sonar-netCDF4 Data Format
Laurent Berger provided an overview of the Sonar-netCDF4 open data format effort that has
been ongoing through WGFAST. The goal of this effort is to have a standardized open data for-
mat for unambiguous quantitative use of backscatter data for a large number of scientific sonar
systems. These data include raw backscatter data and metadata for sonar systems and platforms,
gridded (integrated) backscatter data, interpreted (scrutinized) backscatter data, and processed
manufacturer data such as bathymetry or current velocities from Acoustic Doppler Current Pro-
filers (ADCPs).
Version 1 was published in 2018 as an ICES Cooperative Research Report (Macaulay, G. and
Pena, H. (Eds). 2018. The SONAR-netCDF4 convention for sonar data, Version 1.0, ICES Coop-
erative Research Report #341, 38p.), which supported only omnidirectional sonar systems. Cur-
rent and future efforts include developing support for echosounders, multibeam, and ADCP
systems. The expectation is that a common data format will expedite application of artificial in-
telligence and machine learning methods on acoustic data stored locally and in the cloud. Cur-
rently LSSS, MOVIES3D, and GLOBE processing software packages support Sonar-netCDF4 for-
mat, and Echoview is currently developing modules.
In addition to the scientific community, key partners will be the manufacturers and developers
of scientific acoustic systems. Several manufacturers have agreed to contribute to the effort by
providing data in Sonar-netCDF4 format (e.g. Kongsberg/Simrad, Furuno, and ASL).
Development and dissemination of documentation and software is on the ICES GitHub site:
https://github.com/ices-publications/SONAR-netCDF4. A link to this effort will be placed on the
WGFAST website. Gavin Macaulay is the lead on this effort.
2.10 Open-Source Software
Wu-Jung Lee provided an introduction to Echopype, which is an open-source Python software
package built to enhance interoperability and scalability of fisheries acoustic data (https://echo-
pype.readthedocs.io). Echopype converts raw data files from different echosounders to an in-
teroperable format consistent with the ICES Sonar-netCDF4 convention, and performs all subse-
quent computation in the converted format that allows random access and is suitable for pro-
cessing at scale on the cloud. The package currently supports conversion and calibration for data
from EK60 and AZFP echosounders, and will soon supports EK80 data. This is an open-source
project, because we believe it is important for scientists to look "under the hood" for all algo-
rithms and collaborate as a community. Echopype is at the stage of incorporating more analysis
tools and welcomes input from the community.ICES | WGFAST 2020 | 7
This presentation led to a broader discussion of open-source software for processing, analysing,
and visualizing fisheries acoustics data. There are a number of ongoing efforts to develop and
implement open-source software within and outside WGFAST. WGFAST agreed to compile a
list of these efforts and post this list to the WGFAST GitHub site, https://github.com/ices-
eg/wg_WGFAST. The format of this list has been developed in spreadsheet and JSON formats
and has been disseminated to WGFAST members for inclusion.
2.11 Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Nils Olav Handegard led a discussion on applications of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine
learning (ML) methods with a goal of implementing automated acoustic processing and analysis
applications to fisheries acoustic data. Establishing standards for data and annotations to effi-
ciently move automated processing/analysis forward were discussed. This effort should be
driven by the community and parallels the evolution of open-source data formats and processing
software. Coordination is a key component of implementing AI and ML, and these methods can
advance and evolve more efficiently with shared resources across different companies/institu-
tions than through solo individual efforts. Definitions of clearly different stages of processing for
fisheries acoustics data, in addition to defining the variables (raw data, derived variables,
metadata) need to be developed.
WGFAST decided that a discussion session in conjunction with the WGFAST meeting in 2021
would be a good way to move forward.8 | ICES SCIENTIFIC REPORTS 2:70 | ICES
3 Next meeting: location and dates
The next meeting of WGFAST is scheduled for 19-23 April 2021 in Bergen, Norway. The meeting
is planned to be joint with WGFTFB.ICES | WGFAST 2020 | 9
4 Science Highlight
Long gone are the days when echosounders recorded data on paper charts and analogue tape
recorders or were only displayed for a fleeting moment on a monitor. Modern day acoustic in-
struments can collect data 24/7, 365 days a year for multiple years at astonishing spatial and
temporal resolutions. In addition, fisheries institutions can now measure their acoustic time-se-
ries in decades. These data provide unprecedented observations of the physical, biological, and
geological environments. These data are potentially a boon to ecosystem and stock assessment
scientists, but this abundance of data comes with costs, and those costs include storage, access
and discoverability, processing and analysis, and interpretation. How does one find data that
may be of interest, read those data, process and analyse those data, to ultimately interpret those
data in a biologically or ecologically meaningful context? WGFAST has been a leader in the in-
ternational fisheries acoustic community and continues to adapt to meet the community’s needs.
“Big” data is one of the next steps in the evolution of fisheries acoustics.
As an example, over 125 TB of raw fisheries acoustic data are stewarded and freely accessible to
the world through the NOAA water column sonar archive. To facilitate immediate access and
processing “in the cloud”, archived data will be hosted on an Amazon Web Services (AWS) S3
bucket for free until 2021 through the AWS Public Dataset Program. A community-led effort to
develop open data formats (e.g. Sonar-netCDF4) and open-source software is forging ahead to
read, process, and analyse acoustic data. These data provide opportunities to study marine eco-
systems over a much broader spectrum of spatio-temporal scales than was previously possible.
The advent of open source formats and software allows access of these data to a much broader
community – these data are now “out in the sunlight” for all to visualize and apply advanced
methods such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML).
With unsupervised access comes the challenge of correctly using and interpreting these data.
WGFAST can take a leadership role in facilitating access, discovery, and analysis, and providing
authority to help ensure correct interpretation of these data. “Data” is the next step in the evolu-
tion of WGFAST, where it will continue to be an authoritative voice in developing and evaluating
new technologies, but will expand its role to promote use of these data for ecosystem research,
monitoring, and management.
This science highlight addresses the ICES science priorities: ecosystem science, emerging tech-
niques and technologies, and conservation and management science. This will be an interna-
tional effort.10 | ICES SCIENTIFIC REPORTS 2:70 | ICES
Annex 1: List of participants
Name Institute Country (of insti- E-mail
tute)
Alejandro Ariza British Antarctic Survey UK aletea@bas.ac.uk
Alex de Robertis Alaska Fisheries Science Cen- United States Alex.DeRobertis@noaa.gov
ter
Alireza Rezvanifar University of Victoria Canada arezvani@uvic.ca
Andone C. Lavery Woods Hole Oceanographic United States alavery@whoi.edu
Institution
Anne Lebourges- L’IRD en Bretagne France Anne.Lebourges.Dhaussy@ird.fr
Dhaussy
Aquiles Sepulveda Instituto de Investigación Pes- Chile asepulveda@inpesca.cl
quera
Arnaud Bertrand Centre de Recherche France arnaud.bertrand@ird.fr
Halieutique Méditerranéenne
et Tropicale
Arthur Blanluet Ifremer Nantes Centre France arthur.blanluet@ifremer.fr
Ben Scoulding CSIRO Marine and Atmos- Australia ben.scoulding@csiro.au
pheric Research
Benoit Berges Wageningen University & Re- Netherlands benoit.berges@wur.nl
search
Birkir Bardarson Marine and Freshwater Re- Iceland birkir.bardarson@hafogvatn.is
search Institute
Carlos Robinson Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Mexico robmen@servidor.unam.mx
Limnologia UNAM
Carrie Wall Cooperative Institute for Re- United States carrie.wall@noaa.gov
search in Environmental Sci-
ences
Charles Anderson National Oceanic and Atmos- United States charles.anderson@noaa.gov
pheric Administration (NOAA)
Christopher Taylor Southeast Fisheries Science United States Chris.Taylor@noaa.gov
Center
Ciaran O’Donnell Marine Institute Ireland Ciaran.ODonnell@Marine.ie
Daniel Grados Instituto del Mar del Peru Peru dgrados@imarpe.gob.pe
Danny Copland Marine Science Scotland UK danny.copland@gov.scot
David Demer Southwest Fisheries Science United States david.demer@noaa.gov
Center
David McGowan University of Washington United States mcgowand@uw.eduICES | WGFAST 2020 | 11
Denise McKelvey Alaska Fisheries Science Cen- United States Denise.mckelvey@noaa.gov
ter
Dezhang Chu Northwest Fisheries Science United States dezhang.chu@noaa.gov
Center
Egoitz Burggraaf Zunibal, S.L. Spain egoitz.ormaetxea@zunibal.com
Elizabeth Phillips University of Washington United States emp11@uw.edu
Erin LaBrecque Independent Consultant United States erinlab@gmail.com
Fabio Campanella Centre for Environment, Fish- United States fabio.campanella@cefas.co.uk
eries and Aquaculture Science
Fletcher Thompson DTU Aqua, National Institute Denmark fletho@aqua.dtu.dk
of Aquatic Resources
Geir Pedersen Institute of Marine Research Norway geir.pedersen@hi.no
Guillermo Boyra AZTI-Tecnalia Spain gboyra@azti.es
Haris Kunnath CSIRO Marine and Atmos- Australia haris.kunnath@csiro.au
pheric Research
Hassan Moustahfid NOAA Integrated Ocean Ob- United States Hassan.Moustahfid@noaa.gov
serving System (IOOS)
Hector Peña Institute of Marine Research Norway hector.pena@hi.no
Hjalte Parner ICES Secretariat Denmark hjalte@ices.dk
Ilysa Iglesias University of California Santa United States ilysa.iglesias@noaa.gov
Cruz
Ivar Wangen Simrad Norway ivar.wangen@simrad.com
J. Michael Jech NOAA Fisheries United States michael.jech@noaa.gov
Jan Buermans ASL Environmental Sciences Canada jbuermans@aslenv.com
Inc.
Jeff Condiotty Simrad Fisheries United States jeff.condiotty@simrad.com
Jennifer Johnson University of New Hampshire United States jenniferj@ccom.unh.edu
Jenni McDermid Fisheries and Oceans Canada Canada Jenni.McDermid@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Charlottetown
Jeremie Habasque French National Research In- France jeremie.habasque@ird.fr
stitute for Sustainable Devel-
opment
John Horne University of Washington United States jhorne@u.washington.edu
Jose Rojas Austral Group S.A.A. Peru Peru jrojas@austral.com.pe
Joseph Warren Stony Brook University United States joe.warren@stonybrook.edu
Julek Chawarski Memorial University of New- United States Julek.Chawarski@mi.mun.ca
foundland12 | ICES SCIENTIFIC REPORTS 2:70 | ICES
Kathryn Gavira Satlink Spain kgo@satlink.es
O’Neill
Kevin M. Boswell Florida International Univer- United States kevin.boswell@fiu.edu
sity
Kjetil Gjeitsund DTU Aqua, National Institute Denmark kjgth@aqua.dtu.dk
Thorvaldsen of Aquatic Resources
Lars Nonboe Ander- Simrad Norway lars.nonboe.andersen@simrad.com
sen
Laurent Berger Ifremer Centre de Brest France Laurent.Berger@ifremer.fr
Lawrence Hufnagle Northwest Fisheries Science United States Lawrence.C.Hufnagle@noaa.gov
Center
Lilian Lieber Queen’s University Belfast UK l.lieber@qub.ac.uk
Lucio Calise Zunibal, S.L. Spain lucio.calise@zunibal.com
Lu Guan University of Victoria Canada lguan@uvic.ca
Marian Peña Centro Oceanografico de Ba- Spain marian.pena@ieo.es
leares
Mariano Gutierrez Humboldt Institute of Marine Peru msgutierrezt@gmail.com
Torero and Aquaculture Research
Marissela Pozada Instituto del Mar del Peru Peru mpozada@imarpe.gob.pe
Mathieu Doray Ifremer Nantes Centre France Mathieu.Doray@ifremer.fr
Matthias Schaber Institute of Sea Fisheries Germany matthias.schaber@thuenen.de
Maxime Geoffroy Memorial University of New- Canada Maxime.Geoffroy@mi.mun.ca
foundland
Mei Sato College of Earth, Ocean and United States msato@coas.oregonstate.edu
Atmospheric Sciences
Miles Parsons Center for Marine Science Australia miles.parsons@student.curtin.edu.au
and Technology
Muriel Barbara Akvaplan-niva AS/ Polar Envi- Norway mbd@akvaplan.niva.no
Dunn ronmental Center
Naig Le Bouffant Ifremer Centre de Brest France Naig.Le.Bouffant@ifremer.fr
Natalia Gorska University of Gdańsk Poland natalia.gorska@univ.gda.pl
Nicolás Algeria Lan- Institutio de Investigacion Chile nicoalegria1@gmail.com
deros Pesquera
Nils Olav Handegard Institute of Marine Research Norway nils.olav.handegard@hi.no
Olavi Kaljuste Institute of Coastal Research Sweden olavi.kaljuste@slu.se
Pablo Carrera Centro Oceanografico de Vigo Spain pablo.carrera@ieo.es
Pablo Escobar-Flores NIWA Wellington New Zealand pablo.escobar-flores@niwa.co.nzICES | WGFAST 2020 | 13
Patrice Brehmer L’IRD en Bretagne France patrice.brehmer@ird.fr
Patricia Ordoñez Polytechnic University of Va- Spain patricia.ordonez@zunibal.com
lencia
Patrick Schneider AQUASON Spain patrick@aquason.com
Paul Fernandes University of Aberdeen UK fernandespg@abdn.ac.uk
Pilar Cordoba Instituto Espanol de Oceano- Spain pilar.cordoba@ieo.es
grafia
Rebecca Thomas Northwest Fisheries Science United States rebecca.thomas@noaa.gov
Center
Richard O’Driscoll NIWA Wellington New Zealand richard.odriscoll@niwa.co.nz
Rika Shiraki Furuno Espana Japan rika.shiraki.hc@furuno.co.jp
Rokas Kubilius Institute of Marine Research Norway rokas.kubilius@hi.no
Rolf Korneliussen Institute of Marine Research Norway rolf.korneliussen@hi.no
Rudy Kloser CSIRO Marine and Atmos- Australia rudy.kloser@csiro.au
pheric Research
Ryan Downie CSIRO Marine and Atmos- Australia ryan.downie@csiro.au
pheric Research
Salvador Peraltilla Instituto del Mar del Peru Peru speraltilla@snp.org.pe
Neyra
Sandra Parker-Stet- Northwest Fisheries Science United States sandy.parker-stetter@noaa.gov
ter Center
Sebastien de Halleux Saildrone Inc. United States sebastien@saildrone.com
Sigurdur Thor Marine and Freshwater Re- Iceland sigurdur.thor.jonsson@hafogvatn.is
Jónsson search Institute
Stephane Gauthier Institute of Ocean Sciences Canada stephane.gauthier@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Stephen Brandt Department of Fisheries and United States Stephen.brandt@oregonstate.edu
Wildlife
Steve Pearce ASL Environmental Sciences Canada spearce@aslenv.com
Inc.
Sophie Fielding British Antarctic Survey UK s.fielding@bas.ac.uk
Susan Mærsk Lus- Marine Laboratory UK s.lusseau@marlab.ac.uk
seau
Sven Gastauer Center for Marine Science Australia sven.gastauer@postgrad.curtin.edu.au
and Technology
Tim Acker BioSonics Inc. United States tacker@biosonicsinc.com
Tim Ryan CSIRO Marine and Atmos- Australia Tim.Ryan@csiro.au
pheric Research
Timothy Whitton School of Ocean Sciences UK t.whitton@bangor.ac.uk14 | ICES SCIENTIFIC REPORTS 2:70 | ICES
Toby Jarvis Southern Ocean Ecosystems Australia toby.jarvis@echoview.com
Program
Tonny Algroy Simrad Norway tonny.algroy@simrad.com
Tunia Porto University of Victoria Canada tunaip@uvic.ca
Marques
Wu-Jung Lee University of Washington United States wjlee@apl.washington.edu
Zacharias Kapelonis Institute of Marine Biological Greece zkapelonis@hcmr.gr
Resources and Inland Waters
Because of the remote meeting, we only have the participants Webex login name
and their e-mail address for some participants.
List of participants: guests to the WGFAST meeting
Name Institute Country E-mail
Adrian Ibieta Fisheries Development Institute (IFOP) Chile adrian.ibieta@ifop.cl
Aron Paz Aron.pazv@gmail.com
Camilo croa@fiu.edu
Carlos Valdez Mego carlosvaldezmego@gmail.com
Collins Onyongo On- Kenya Marine Fisheries Institute Kenya collongore@gmail.com
gore
Cyrille Poncelet Ifremer France cyrille.poncelet@ifremer.fr
Isobel Cave Saildrone Inc. United States isobel.cave@saildrone.com
Jennifer Herbig Marine Institute of Memorial University of Canada jennifer.herbig@mi.mun.ca
Newfoundland
Jinshan Xu Fisheries and Oceans Canada Canada jinshan.xu@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Jsalveta Ju.salvetat@gmail.com
Kimberly Sparling Saildrone Inc United States kim@saildrone.com
Luis Lacruz.luis2886@gmail.com
Marta D’Elia Florida International University United States madelia@fiu.edu
Pierre Priou Marine Institute of Memorial University of Canada pierre.priou@mi.mun.ca
Newfoundland
Ramilla Assuncao ramillavieira@hotmail.com
Richard Mangeni Rms28@st-andrews.ac.uk
Sand
Savannah LaBua Florida International University United States slabua92@gmail.com
SG Conti Stephane.conti@espci.orgICES | WGFAST 2020 | 15
Youssouph Coly University of Ziguinchor (UASZ) Senegal Youssouphcoly98@gmail.com
Yang University of St Andrews UK yyy1@st-andrews.ac.uk16 | ICES SCIENTIFIC REPORTS 2:70 | ICES
Annex 2: Resolutions
2019/FT/EOSG09 A Working Group on Fisheries Acoustics, Science and Technol-
ogy (WGFAST), chaired by J. Michael Jech*, USA, will work on ToRs and generate deliverables
as listed in the Table below.
M EETING C OMMENTS ( CHANGE IN
DATES V ENUE R EPORTING DETAILS C HAIR , ETC .)
Year 2020 22 April By Interim report by 22 May Michael Jech takes over as
correspondence 2020 to ACOM-SCICOM chair
Year 2021 19-23 April Bergen, Interim report by 30 June
Norway 2021 to ACOM-SCICOM
Year 2022 TBD TBD Final report by 30 June 2022
to ACOM-SCICOM
ToR descriptors 1
Science plan Expected
ToR Description Background codes Duration Deliverables
a Collate information on 3.1, 3.2, 3.4 3
a) Science Requirements
acoustic related research
and surveys, and b) Advisory
interactions with Requirements
ecosystem and A summary of the
assessment expert information will be
groups. presented in the final
report
b Review presented recent Create a venue for 3.3, 4.1, 4.4 1, 2, 3
work within the topics: informing the group
“Acoustic methods to members on recent
characterize activities and seeking
populations, ecosystems, input to further
habitat, and behaviour”; development. An
“Acoustic overview of the
characterization of different contributions
marine organisms“; and and guidance will be
“Emerging technologies, presented in the annual
methodologies, and report
protocols“. Provide
guidance by identifying:
(1) where training
opportunities could be
developed; and (2) gaps
in knowledge and
challenges that should
be prioritized by the
community.ICES | WGFAST 2020 | 17
c Organize a conference 3.1, 3.2, 4.1 2 or 3
session on integrating
fisheries acoustics with
ecosystem assessment
and monitoring at an
international scientific
meeting such as ASC.
d Develop, and maintain Data format 3.2, 3.5, 4.2 1, 2, 3 Updated metadata
acoustic metadata and conventions for acoustic convention
data format conventions metadata and data are publication (new
and coordinate with required for efficient guide/handbook
acoustic survey groups. data interchange and series)
processing of acoustic
data, but are lacking in Revised sonar-
the fisheries acoustics netcdf4 convention
field. CRR 341 (2018) publication that
and SISP 4 (2016) have includes
partially addressed this echosounder data
need, but further types (new
of data and acoustic guide/handbook
equipment need to be series
supported.
e Develop and Acoustic data are 3.3, 3.6 1 CRR;
recommend procedures collected from a variety recommendations
for collecting and of vessels that respond on methodology
processing quality to inclement weather in improvements to
acoustic data in diverse ways. acoustic survey
inclement weather. Procedures are needed coordination
to provide quality groups to
control for data implement on
collected in inclement surveys and update
weather to stock SISPs
assessment.
Summary of the Work Plan
Produce the annual overview of recent developments within the field. Produce an ICES
Year 1 CRR recommending procedures for collecting and processing quality acoustic data in
inclement weather. Develop and maintain metadata and acoustic data formats.
Produce the annual overview of recent developments within the field. Propose a
Year 2 conference session at an international scientific meeting. Develop and maintain metadata
and acoustic data formats.
Produce the annual overview of recent developments within the field. Collate information
on acoustic related research and surveys. Develop and maintain metadata and acoustic
Year 3
data formats. Publish new guides with updated metadata convention and revised sonar-
netcdf4 convention publication that includes echosounder data.
Supporting information
Priority Fisheries acoustics and complementary technologies provide the necessary tools
and methods to implement the ecosystem approach to fisheries management
within ICES and research into their application and further development is vital.
Resource requirements No new resources will be required. Having overlaps with the other meetings of
the Working, Planning, Study and Topic Groups increases efficiency and
reduces travel costs.
Participants The Group is normally attended by some 60-100 members and guests.
Secretariat facilities None.
Financial No financial implications.18 | ICES SCIENTIFIC REPORTS 2:70 | ICES
Linkages to ACOM and Stock assessment groups using acoustic abundance indices.
groups under ACOM
Linkages to other The work in this group is closely aligned with complementary work in the FTFB
committees or groups Working Group. The work is of direct relevance to a number of data collection
and coordination groups within EOSG (e.g. WGIPS, WGBITS, WGISUR)
Linkages to other The work of this group is closely aligned with similar work in FAO, the
organizations Acoustical Society of America, the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management
Organization, the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living
Resources, and the American Fisheries Society.You can also read
